Course Code: REL-ACU-0-IASDEMS
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2029
Learning Objectives:
Define autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including core characteristics, sensory features, and common comorbidities.
Recognize indicators of ASD that may affect EMS assessment and interaction, including common communication patterns, behavior features, and support needs.
Apply EMS strategies to support patients with ASD across assessment and transport, including communication supports, sensory-friendly care, pain assessment approaches, and safety interventions.
Outline:
Section 1: What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Overview
Pathophysiology
Prevalence
Etiology and Comorbidities
Genetics
Comorbidities
Terminology and Diagnostic Criteria
Screening and Diagnosis
ASD Characteristics
Early Signs
Beyond Childhood
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Management of ASD
Overview
Behavioral Approaches
Social Skills Interventions (SSIs)
Pharmacological Approaches
Nutritional Approaches
Dietary Interventions and Elimination Diets
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Education
Safety
Self-Injury
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Considerations for EMS Personnel
Overview
Elopement and Wandering
Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
Sensory-Friendly Care
Patient Communication
General Communication Tips
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Understanding Communication Differences
Pain Perception
Managing Aggressive Behavior
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Information
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Writer: Emily Allen
Emily is a graduate of UNC Wilmington, where she earned an MSN in Nursing Education in 2021. She is an experienced perianesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse and has cared for a wide variety of inpatient and ambulatory surgical patients. Emily has served as a Charge Nurse in UNC’s Ambulatory Care PACU and holds her CPAN certification from the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC). Her passion for education has led her to a position as a content writer at Relias.
Reviewer: Trisha A. Duerr, MSN-Ed, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CTRN, NREMT
Mrs. Duerr is a nurse educator and an emergency and critical care transport nurse. She holds certifications in emergency, pediatric emergency, trauma, and transport nursing. Her emergency experience includes prehospital 911 response, critical care transport, charge nurse, preceptor, trauma care coordinator, clinical educator, and department director. Besides her clinical practice, Mrs. Duerr currently holds two adjunct nursing faculty appointments and serves on her local Critical Incident Stress Management team.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: EMS Personnel (EMT, EMR, AEMT and Paramedics); in the following settings: Pre-Hospital Care Setting.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.